Hinged support member and flexible display device including the same

ABSTRACT

A display device includes first and second support members arranged along a first direction, a joint part therebetween, a hinge member adjacent to facing sides of the first and second support members that extends in a second direction crossing the first direction, and that includes two rotation axes, and a flexible display module on the first and second support members and the joint part. The joint part includes a first joint unit that extends in the second direction and a plurality of second joint units arranged in the first direction, where the first joint unit is interposed between the plurality of second joint units. The second joint units extend in the second direction, and each of the second joint units has recesses between side and top surfaces thereof and that extend in the second direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119 from, and the benefit of, Korean Patent Application No.10-2017-0119770, filed on Sep. 18, 2017 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the contents of which are herein incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a display device,and in particular, to a foldable display device.

Electronic products, such as a smart phone, a digital camera, a notebookcomputer, a navigation system, or a smart television, have an imagedisplay device that displays an image to a user. The image displaydevice can generate an image and provide the image to a user through ascreen.

Various display devices have been developed recently. A typical exampleof such a display device is a flexible display device that can bedeformed, folded, or rolled. Since a shape of the flexible displaydevice can be variously changed, the use of the flexible display deviceallows for improved portability and user convenience.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the inventive concept provide a support member,which is configured to prevent a folding region of a display panel frombeing deformed, and a display device including the same.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, a display deviceincludes a first support member and a second support member arrangedalong a first direction, a joint part disposed between the first andsecond support members, a hinge member adjacent to facing sides of thefirst and second support members and that extends in a second directioncrossing the first direction, wherein the hinge member is connected to abottom surface of the joint part and bottom surfaces of the first andsecond support members and includes two rotation axes, and a flexibledisplay module disposed on the first and second support members and thejoint part. The joint part includes a first joint unit that extends inthe second direction and a plurality of second joint units arranged inthe first direction and that extend in the second direction. The firstjoint unit is disposed between the plurality of second joint units, andeach of the second joint units includes recesses between the side andtop surfaces thereof and that extend in the second direction.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, a support memberincludes a first support member and a second support member arrangedalong a first direction, and a joint part disposed between the first andsecond support members. The joint part includes a first joint unit thatextends in a second direction that crosses the first direction, and aplurality of second joint units arranged along the first direction andthat extends in the second direction with the first joint unitinterposed therebetween. Each of the second joint units includes a firstportion that extends in the second direction and that has a reversetrapezoidal shape when viewed from the second direction and a secondportion that extends upward from a top surface of the first portion andthat has a rectangular shape. A width of the second portion is less thana width of the top surface of the first portion, when measured in thefirst direction.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, a support memberincludes a first support member and a second support member arrangedalong a first direction; a joint part disposed between the first andsecond support members; and a hinge member adjacent to facing sides ofthe first and second support members and that extends in a seconddirection crossing the first direction, wherein the hinge member isconnected to a bottom surface of the joint part and bottom surfaces ofthe first and second support members and includes two rotation axes. Thejoint part includes a first joint unit; a plurality of second jointunits disposed between the first joint unit and the first supportmember; and a plurality of third joint units disposed between the firstjoint unit and the second support member. The first, second, and thirdjoint units are arranged in the first direction and extend in the seconddirection, the third joint units are symmetric with respect to thesecond joint units, and each of the second joint units has a trapezoidalshape. Each of the second joint units includes a top surface parallel tothe first and second directions; a bottom surface that faces and isparallel to the top surface; and side surfaces that connect sides of thetop surface to sides of the bottom surface and that are asymmetric withrespect to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view that illustrates a display device accordingto some embodiments of the inventive concept.

FIG. 2 illustrates a display device of FIG. 1 in an out-folded state.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a display module of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel in a pixel layer ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded top perspective view of a support member of FIG.1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a second joint unit shown inFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded bottom perspective view of a support member ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates how a hinge member is connected to third and fourthsupport members.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line V-V′ of FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a display device according to someembodiments of the inventive concept, in which first and second supportmembers, joint units, a hinge member, and third and fourth supportmembers are assembled.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a display device of FIG. 14 viewed from asecond direction.

FIG. 16 illustrates a folded structure of a display device of FIG. 15.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate configurations of comparative joint units,when a comparative display device is unfolded from a folded state.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate configurations of adjacent second jointunits, when a display device according to some embodiments of theinventive concept is unfolded from a folded state.

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate a structure of a second joint unit accordingto other embodiments of the inventive concept.

FIG. 23 illustrates a structure of a joint part of a display deviceaccording to other embodiments of the inventive concept.

It should be noted that these figures are intended to illustrate thegeneral characteristics of methods, structure and/or materials utilizedin certain example embodiments and to supplement the written descriptionprovided below. These drawings are not, however, to scale and may notprecisely reflect the precise structural or performance characteristicsof any given embodiment, and should not be interpreted as defining orlimiting the range of values or properties encompassed by exampleembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts will now be describedmore fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichexemplary embodiments are shown. Exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts may, however, be embodied in many different forms and shouldnot be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions may beexaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings maydenote like elements, and thus their description will be omitted.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directlyconnected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may bepresent.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view that illustrates a display device accordingto some embodiments of the inventive concept. FIG. 2 illustrates adisplay device of FIG. 1 in an out-folded state. FIG. 3 is a sectionalview of a display module of FIG. 1.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a displaydevice 1000 has a rectangular prism shape, whose long sides are parallelto a first direction DR1 and whose short sides are parallel to a seconddirection DR2 that crosses the first direction DR1. However, embodimentsof the inventive concept are not limited thereto, and the display device1000 may have various other shapes. The display device 1000 is aflexible display device, such as a foldable display device that can befolded or unfolded with respect to a folding axis FX that extending inthe second direction DR2.

According to some embodiments, the display device 1000 can be dividedinto a plurality of regions, according to its folding state. Forexample, the display device 1000 can be divided into a folding regionFA, which can be folded, and two non-folding regions NFA, which maintaina flat shape. The non-folding regions NFA are arranged along the firstdirection DR1, and the folding region FA is positioned between the twonon-folding regions NFA. In a present embodiment, the display device1000 is illustrated as having only one folding region, but embodimentsof the inventive concept are not limited thereto. For example, thedisplay device 1000 may have a plurality of folding regions.

According to some embodiments, the folding axis FX includes a firstrotation axis RX1 and a second rotation axis RX2 about which the displaydevice 1000 rotates and which extend parallel to the second directionDR2 adjacent to each other. The folding region FA overlaps the first andsecond rotation axes RX1 and RX2, and the display device 1000 can befolded along the first and second rotation axes RX1 and RX2.

According to some embodiments, the display device 1000 includes aflexible display module 100 and a support member 200 provided below thedisplay module 100. A top surface of the display module 100 can bereferred to as a display surface DS and is parallel to a plane definedby the first and second directions DR1 and DR2. The display surface DSis used to display images IM, which are generated by the display module100, to a user.

According to some embodiments, the display surface DS includes a displayregion DA and a non-display region NDA near or around the display regionDA. The display region DA can display an image, and the non-displayregion NDA does not display an image. The non-display region NDAencloses the display region DA, thereby serving as an edge portion, inparticular, having a specific color, of the display device 1000.

Referring to FIG. 3, according to some embodiments, the display module100 includes a display panel 110, a touch-sensing unit 120 disposed onthe display panel 110, and a protection film 130 disposed below thedisplay panel 110. The display panel 110 is flexible and can generate animage to be provided to a user. The display panel 110 may be one of aliquid crystal display panel, an organic light emitting display panel,an electrophoresis display panel, an electrowetting display panel, orvarious other display panels that can display an image thereon. Theprotection film 130 is formed of or includes at least one flexibleplastic material.

According to some embodiments, the touch-sensing unit 120 can sense anexternal input, such as a user's hand, a touch pen, etc., to generate aninput signal from the sensed external input, and to provide the inputsignal to the display panel 110. The touch-sensing unit 120 includes aplurality of touch sensor units that can sense the external input. Thetouch sensor units can capacitatively sense an external input. Thedisplay panel 110 can receive an input signal from the touch-sensingunit 120 and generate an image on the basis of the input signal.

According to some embodiments, the protection film 130 is attached to abottom surface of the display panel 110 to protect the bottom surface ofthe display panel 110. In addition, a window for protecting thetouch-sensing unit 120 can be disposed on the touch-sensing unit 120.

According to some embodiments, the support member 200 supports thedisplay module 100, and the support member 200 can rotate about thefirst and second rotation axes RX1 and RX2, when it is folded orunfolded. If the support member 200 is folded, the flexible displaymodule 100 is also folded by the support member 200. In someembodiments, the display device 1000 can be folded out by the supportmember 200 to externally expose the display surface DS of the displaymodule 100.

A detailed structure of the support member 200 will be described indetail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. Hereinafter, a direction which isnot parallel to the first and second directions DR1 and DR2 will bereferred to as a third direction DR3. The third direction DR3 include anupward direction and a downward direction opposite to the upwarddirection.

According to some embodiments, the display panel 110 includes a baselayer BSL, a pixel layer PXL disposed on the base layer BSL, and aprotection layer PTL disposed on the base layer BSL that covers thepixel layer PXL.

According to some embodiments, the base layer BSL defines a rear surfaceof the display module 100 and is flexible. The protection film 130 isdisposed below the base layer BSL. The pixel layer PXL includes aplurality of pixels and can generate the images IM in response toelectrical signals applied thereto. The protection layer PTL can protectthe pixel layer PXL, and the touch-sensing unit 120 is disposed on theprotection layer PTL. The protection layer PTL has a multi-layeredstructure and includes at least one organic insulating layer or at leastone inorganic insulating layer.

FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel in a pixel layer ofFIG. 3.

In FIG. 4, a structure of one exemplary pixel PX is illustrated, butother pixels have the same structure as the pixel PX shown in FIG. 4. Insome embodiments, the pixel PX of FIG. 4 is an organic light emittingdevice that is used in an organic light emitting display panel.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIG. 4, the pixel PX isconnected to a scan line Si, a data line Dj, and a light-emitting lineEi, where i and j are natural numbers. The pixel PX includes alight-emitting device OLED, a driving transistor T1, a capacitor Cst, aswitching transistor T2, and a light-emitting control transistor T3. Thelight-emitting device OLED is an organic light emitting diode.

According to some embodiments, a source terminal of the drivingtransistor T1 is applied with a first voltage ELVDD, and a drainterminal of the driving transistor T1 is connected to a source terminalof the light-emitting control transistor T3. A gate terminal of thedriving transistor T1 is connected to a drain terminal of the switchingtransistor T2.

According to some embodiments, a gate terminal of the switchingtransistor T2 is connected to the scan line Si, and a source terminal ofthe switching transistor T2 is connected to the data line Dj. A firstelectrode of the capacitor Cst is connected to the source terminal ofthe driving transistor T1, and a second electrode of the capacitor Cstis connected to the gate terminal of the driving transistor T1.

According to some embodiments, a gate terminal of the light-emittingcontrol transistor T3 is connected to the light-emitting line Ei, and adrain terminal of the light-emitting control transistor T3 is connectedto an anode electrode of the light-emitting device OLED. A cathodeelectrode of the light-emitting device OLED is applied with a secondvoltage ELVSS. The second voltage ELVSS has a voltage level lower thanthat of the first voltage ELVDD.

According to some embodiments, the switching transistor T2 is turned onin response to a scan signal S-S transmitted through the scan line Si.If the switching transistor T2 is turned on, a data voltage VD appliedto the data line Dj is transmitted to the gate terminal of the drivingtransistor T1 through the switching transistor T2. The capacitor Cst ischarged to the data voltage VD applied to the gate terminal of thedriving transistor T1 and is maintained at the data voltage VD, evenafter the switching transistor T2 is turned off.

According to some embodiments, if a light-emitting signal EM is appliedto the gate terminal of the light-emitting control transistor T3 throughthe light-emitting line Ei, the light-emitting control transistor T3 isturned on in response to the light-emitting signal EM. In this case, acurrent Ioled is supplied to the organic light emitting diode OLED fromthe driving transistor T1 through the light-emitting control transistorT3. The pixel PX can emit light during an applying period of thelight-emitting signal EM, and an intensity of light emitted from thelight-emitting device OLED can change depending on an strength of thecurrent Ioled.

According to some embodiments, the transistors T1-T3 of the pixel PX arePMOS transistors, but embodiments of the inventive concept are notlimited thereto. For example, the transistors T1-T3 of the pixel PX maybe NMOS transistors.

FIG. 5 is an exploded top perspective view of the support member ofFIG. 1. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a second joint unitshown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line I-I′ ofFIG. 6. FIG. 8 is an exploded bottom perspective view of a supportmember of FIG. 1.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, the supportmember 200 includes a first support member SM1, a second support memberSM2, a third support member SM3, a fourth support member SM4, a jointpart JP, a hinge member HGM, a plurality of sliding units SU, a pair ofhinge pin units HPU, and a pair of coupling units CU.

According to some embodiments, the first and second support members SM1and SM2 are arranged along the first direction DR1 and in a plane thatis parallel to the first and second directions DR1 and DR2. The jointpart JP extends in the second direction DR2 and is positioned betweenthe first and second support members SM1 and SM2. The display module 100is disposed on the first and second support members SM1 and SM2 and thejoint part JP.

According to some embodiments, the first support member SM1 includes afirst bottom portion BP1, which is parallel to the first and seconddirections DR1 and DR2, and a first guide portion GD1, which protrudesupward from all sides of the first bottom portion BP1 except for a sideadjacent to the joint part JP. The second support member SM2 includes asecond bottom portion BP2, which is parallel to the first and seconddirections DR1 and DR2, and a second guide portion GD2, which protrudesupward from all sides of the second bottom portion BP2 except for a sideadjacent to the joint part JP. The sides of the first bottom portion BP1and the side of the second bottom portion BP2 that are adjacent to thejoint part JP face each other.

According to some embodiments, the joint part JP includes a first jointunit JP1 and a plurality of second joint units JP2, which are spacedapart from each other with the first joint unit JP1 interposedtherebetween. The number of the second joint units JP2 disposed betweenthe first joint unit JP1 and the first support member SM1 is equal tothe number of the second joint units JP2 disposed between the firstjoint unit JP1 and the second support member SM2, but embodiments of theinventive concept are not limited thereto.

According to some embodiments, the first joint unit JP1 includes a firstextended portion EXP1, which extends in the second direction DR2, andfirst sidewall portions SW1, which extend upward from both ends of thefirst extended portion EXP1. Each of the second joint units JP2 includesa second extended portion EXP2, which extends in the second directionDR2, and second sidewall portions SW2, which extend upward from bothends of the second extended portion EXP2. The second sidewall portionSW2 have a reversed trapezoidal shape, when viewed from the seconddirection DR2, wherein a reversed trapezoidal shape has a bottom sidethat is parallel to a top side but is shorter than the top side.

According to some embodiments, the first and second sidewall portionsSW1 and SW2 extend in the first direction DR1 to connect with the firstand second guide portions GD1 and GD2 extending in the first directionDR1. The display module 100 disposed on the first and second bottomportions BP1 and BP2 and the first and second extended portions EXP1 andEXP2.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, recesses Gthat extend in the second direction DR2 are defined along edges betweenside and top surfaces SS and TS of the second joint unit JP2. Forexample, the second extended portion EXP2 includes a first portion PT1which extends in the second direction DR2 and has a reverse trapezoidalcross-sectional shape when viewed from the second direction DR2, and asecond portion PT2, which extends upward from a top surface of the firstportion PT1 and has a rectangular or tetragonal cross-sectional shape.When measured in the first direction DR1, a first width W1 of the secondportion PT2 is less than a second width W2 of the top surface of thefirst portion PT1.

According to some embodiments, each of the recesses G is defined by acorresponding side surface of the second portion PT2 and the top surfaceof the first portion PT1. Thus, the recesses G are defined along theedges between the side surfaces SS of the second extended portion EXP2and the top surface TS of the second extended portion EXP2.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, the third andfourth support members SM3 and SM4 are arranged along the firstdirection DR1 and have shapes that are symmetric to each other. Thehinge member provides a rotation axis to each of the facing sides of thethird and fourth support members SM3 and SM4. This will be described inmore detail below.

According to some embodiments, the third support member SM3 includes aplurality of first protruding portions P1 that protrude from a side ofthe third support member SM3 that faces the fourth support member SM4,and fourth support member SM4 includes a plurality of second protrudingportions P2 that protrude from a side that faces the third supportmember SM3. Although FIGS. 5 and 8 shows two first protruding portionsP1 and two second protruding portions P2, embodiments are not limitedthereto and the number of first and second protruding portions P1 and P2can differ from two.

According to some embodiments, the first protruding portions P1 arespaced apart from each other in the second direction DR2, and the secondprotruding portions P2 are spaced apart from each other in the seconddirection DR2. Each of the first and second protruding portions P1 andP2 has a cylindrical structure extending in the second direction DR2.

According to some embodiments, a first recess G1 is defined in apredetermined region of a top surface of the third support member SM3,e.g., adjacent to a center portion of a side of the third support memberSM3 that faces the fourth support member SM4. The first recess G1 ispositioned between the first protruding portions P1 and adjacent to aside that faces the fourth support member SM4.

According to some embodiments, a second recess G2 is defined in apredetermined region of a top surface of the fourth support member SM4,e.g., adjacent to a center portion of a side of the fourth supportmember SM4 that faces the third support member SM3. The second recess G2is positioned between the second protruding portions P2 and adjacent toa side that faces the third support member SM3.

According to some embodiments, the hinge member HGM includes a pluralityof first connection portions CP1, which are connected to the bottom ofthe first joint unit JP1 and are arranged along the second directionDR2, and a plurality of second connection portions CP2 disposed belowthe first joint unit JP1 and between the first connection portions CP1.

According to some embodiments, the first connection portions CP1 have adouble cylindrical structure that extends in the second direction DR2.The double cylindrical structure includes two cylindrical patterns thatextend parallel to the second direction DR2, are adjacent to each otherin the first direction DR1, and are connected to each other. AlthoughFIGS. 5 and 8 show two first connection portions CP1, embodiments arenot limited thereto and the number of the first connection portions CP1may differ from two.

According to some embodiments, the second connection portions CP2 arearranged along the first direction DR1 and are positioned between thefirst connection portions CP1. Although FIGS. 5 and 8 show two secondconnection portions CP2, embodiments are not limited thereto and thenumber of the second connection portions CP2 may differ from two. Thefirst and second connection portions CP1 and CP2 are placed between thefirst protruding portions P1 and the second protruding portions P2.

According to some embodiments, each of the first and second protrudingportions P1 and P2 includes a first hole H1 in a center thereof thatextends in the second direction DR2. Each of the first connectionportions CP1 includes a plurality of second holes H2 that extend in thesecond direction DR2. For example, each of the first connection portionsCP1 has two second holes H2 that extend parallel to each other. Each ofthe second connection portions CP2 includes a third hole H3 that extendsin the second direction DR2.

According to some embodiments, the first holes H1, the second holes H2,and the third holes H3 connect with each other. For example, one of thesecond holes H2 in each of the first connection portions CP1 connectswith the first holes H1 defined in the first protruding portions P1, andthe other second hole connects with the first holes H1 defined in thesecond protruding portions P2. One of the third holes H3 of the secondconnection portions CP2 connects with one of the second holes H2 definedin the first connection portions CP1, and the other third hole H3connects with the other second hole 142 of the first connection portionsCP1.

According to some embodiments, the hinge pin units HPU can be insertedinto the first holes H1, the second holes H2, and the third holes H3,and the coupling units CU are connected to respective ends of the hingepin units HPU. Due to the hinge pin units HPU, the first rotation axisRX1 and the second rotation axis RX2 are respectively provided along aside of the third support member SM3 and along a side of the fourthsupport member SM4. For example, the third support member SM3 and thefourth support member SM4 pivot about the hinge pin units HPU.

According to some embodiments, each of the second connection portionsCP2 includes a body part BP, which extends in the second direction DR2and has a shape of two parallel cylinders, and a sub-connection part SC,which extends outward in the first direction DR1 from an outer curvedsurface of the body part BP on each side of the body part BP. The thirdhole H3 is defined in each of the parallel cylinders of the body partBP. One of the sub-connection parts SC is placed in the first recess G1,and the other is placed in the second recess G2.

According to some embodiments, the sub-connection parts SC arerespectively connected to bottom surfaces of the first and secondsupport members SM1 and SM2. For example, one of the sub-connectionparts SC is connected to a portion of the bottom surface of the firstsupport member SM1 adjacent to the second support member SM2, and theother is connected to a portion of the bottom surface of the secondsupport member SM2 adjacent to the first support member SM1.

According to some embodiments, a plurality of sliding holes SH areprovided in the third and fourth support members SM3 and SM4. Thesliding holes SH extend in the first direction DR1. The sliding units SUoverlap the sliding holes SH in one-to-one correspondence.

According to some embodiments, the sliding units SU are connected to thebottom surfaces of the first and second support members SM1 and SM2through the sliding holes SH. Each of the sliding units SU includes aninsertion part IP, which extends in the first direction DR1 and isinserted into a corresponding sliding hole SH, and a supporting part SP,which is connected to a bottom surface of the insertion part IP. Theinsertion parts IP are inserted into the sliding holes SH and are beconnected to the bottom surfaces of the first and second support membersSM1 and SM2.

According to some embodiments, lower protruding portions LP are disposedon the bottom surfaces of the first and second support members SM1 andSM2, respectively. The lower protruding portions LP protrude downwardfrom the bottom surfaces of the first and second support members SM1 andSM2. The insertion parts IP are connected to the lower protrudingportions LP in one-to-one correspondence.

According to some embodiments, a plurality of connection holes CH areprovided in each of the sliding units SU, and a plurality of connectionrecesses CG are provided in each of the lower protruding portions LP.The insertion parts IP and the lower protruding portions LP are insertedinto the sliding holes SH, and the connection holes CH connect with theconnection recesses CG in one-to-one correspondence.

According to some embodiments, a plurality of pin units PU are insertedinto the connection holes CH and the connection recesses CG to connectthe insertion parts IP to the lower protruding portions LP. As a result,the sliding units SU can be connected to the bottom surfaces of thefirst and second support members SM1 and SM2.

According to some embodiments, although eight sliding units SU, eightlower protruding portions LP, and eight sliding holes SH are illustratedin FIGS. 5 and 8, embodiments are not limited thereto, the numbers ofthe sliding units SU, the lower protruding portions LP, and the slidingholes SH may vary in other embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates how a hinge member is connected to third and fourthsupport members.

For convenience in illustration, bottom surfaces of the third and fourthsupport members SM3 and SM4 are illustrated in FIG. 9.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIG. 9, as described above,the first and second connection portions CP1 and CP2 are placed betweenthe first protruding portions P1 and between the second protrudingportions P2, and the first holes H1, the second holes H2, and the thirdholes H3 connect with each other. The hinge pin units HPU are insertedinto the first holes H1, the second holes H2, and the third holes H3,and the coupling units CU are connected to respective ends of the hingepin units HPU.

According to some embodiments, the hinge member HGM may be connected tothe side of the third support member SM3 and to the side of the fourthsupport member SM4, and the third support member SM3 and the fourthsupport member SM4 can pivot about the hinge pin units HPU.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 8. FIG. 11is a sectional view taken along line III-III′ of FIG. 8.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a connection structure between the secondjoint units SP2 and the second connection portions CP2. FIG. 10illustrates sections of the second joint unit JP2 and the sub-connectionpart SC as viewed from the first direction DR1, and FIG. 11 illustratessections of the second joint units JP2 and the second connection portionCP2, which are located at a right side of the first joint unit JP1, whenviewed from the second direction DR2.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIG. 10, the second jointunit JP2 includes a joint insertion part JP1, which protrudes downwardfrom a center portion of a bottom surface of the second extended portionEXP2 and is shaped like a letter “L” when viewed from the firstdirection DR1. Other second joint units JP2 also have the same shape asthe second joint unit JP2 shown in FIG. 10. A rail groove RG is providedin a top surface of the second connection portion CP2, and when viewedfrom the first direction DR1, the rail groove RG has the samecross-sectional shape, i.e., an “L” shape, as the joint insertion partJP1.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIG. 11, the rail groove RGextends in the first direction DR1 from a predetermined position in thetop surface of the sub-connection part SC to a predetermined position onan outer circumference surface of the body part BP. The second jointunits JP2 and the second connection portion CP2, which are located at aleft side of the first joint unit JP1, have substantially the samestructure as the second joint units JP2 and the second connectionportion CP2 shown in FIG. 11.

According to some embodiments, the second connection portion CP2includes elastic members ELM disposed in a portion of the rail groove RGnear the joint insertion part JP1 of the second joint units JP2 adjacentto the first support member SM1 and the second support member SM2. Whenthe second support member SM2 is rotated about the second rotation axisRX2, the elastic member ELM pushes the second joint units JP2 toward acenter portion of the support member 200, and thus, the second jointunits JP2 are moved along the rail groove RG.

In addition, an elastic member may be disposed in a rail groove of thesecond connection portion CP2 on a left side of the first joint unit W1.In some embodiments, such an elastic member may be positioned near thejoint insertion part JP1 of the second joint unit JP2 adjacent to thefirst support member SM1.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV′ of FIG. 8. FIG. 13is a sectional view taken along line V-V′ of FIG. 8.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, theinsertion part IP and the lower protruding portion LP are inserted intothe sliding hole SH, and the pin units PU are inserted into theconnection holes CH and the connection recesses CG to connect theinsertion part IP to the lower protruding portion LP.

According to some embodiments, when viewed from the third direction DR3,a size of the supporting part SP is larger than that of the insertionpart IP. A width of the supporting part SP in the second direction DR2is greater than a width of the sliding hole SH in the second directionDR2, and thus, a portion of the supporting part SP is not inserted intothe sliding hole SH and is in contact with a bottom surface of the thirdsupport member SM3 adjacent to the sliding hole SH.

According to some embodiments, the lower protruding portion LP and theinsertion part LP are the same size, and when measured in the firstdirection DR1, lengths of the lower protruding portion LP and theinsertion part IP are less than that of the sliding hole SH. Where theinsertion part IP is connected to the lower protruding portion LP, theinsertion part IP and the lower protruding portion LP can move in thesliding hole SH along the first direction DR1.

According to some embodiments, the first support member SM1 can slideback-and-forth along the sliding hole SH along the first direction DR1.Accordingly, the third support member SM3 is connected to the bottomsurface of the first support member SM1 by the sliding unit SU and canslide on the bottom surface of the first support member SM1.

Although FIGS. 12 and 13 show a connection structure between one lowerprotruding portion LP and one sliding unit SU, other lower protrudingportions LP can be connected to other sliding units SU in the samemanner. That is, the third and fourth support members SM3 and SM4 can beconnected to the bottom surfaces of the first and second support membersSM1 and SM2 by the sliding units SU and can slide along the bottomsurfaces of the first and second support members SM1 and SM2.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a display device according to someembodiments of the inventive concept, in which first and second supportmembers, joint units, a hinge member, and third and fourth supportmembers are assembled. FIG. 15 is a side view of a display device ofFIG. 14 as viewed from a second direction. FIG. 16 illustrates a foldedstructure of a display device of FIG. 15.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 14, 15, and 16, thenon-folding regions NFA of the display module 100 are provided on thefirst and second bottom portions BP1 and BP2, respectively, and thefolding region FA is provided on the first and second extended portionsEXP1 and EXP2. The display module 100 is attached to the first andsecond bottom portions BP1 and BP2 and the first and second extendedportions EXP1 and EXP2 by an adhesive member. The side surfaces of thedisplay module 100 are adjacent to inner side surfaces of the first andsecond guide portions GD1 and GD2 and inner side surfaces of the firstand second sidewall portions SW1 and SW2.

According to some embodiments, the third and fourth support members SM3and SM4 rotate about the first and second rotation axes RX1 and RX2 whenthe display device 1000 is folded. In addition, the first rotation axisRX1 and the second rotation axis RX2 are respectively disposed adjacentto and along the side of the first support member SM1 and the side ofthe second support member SM2, and the first support member SM1 and thesecond support member SM2 can rotate about the first rotation axis RX1and the second rotation axis RX2, respectively.

According to some embodiments, when the display device 1000 is folded,the side surfaces of the first and second joint units JP1 and JP2 comeinto contact with each other. In some embodiments, when the displaydevice 1000 is folded out, the display surface DS of the display module100 is externally exposed.

According to some embodiments, when the display device 1000 is foldedout, the first and second support members SM1 and SM2 and the third andfourth support members SM3 and SM4 are moved in a sliding manner and inopposite directions by the sliding units SU. For example, the first andsecond support members SM1 and SM2 are moved toward a center portion ofthe display device 1000 relative to the third and fourth support membersSM3 and SM4, and the third and fourth support members SM3 and SM4 aremoved in a direction opposite to that of the first and second supportmembers SM1 and SM2.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate configurations of comparative joint units,when a comparative display device is unfolded from a folded state.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, comparativejoint units JP2′ are arranged at substantially the same positions as thesecond joint units JP2. The comparative joint units JP2′ have secondcomparative extended portions EXP2′ but without the recesses G of thesecond joint units JP2. Each of the second comparative extended portionsEXP2′ has a reverse trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, and a top portionthereof has rounded portions RP at left and right corners.

When a comparative display device with a comparative joint units JP2′ isfolded, the adhesive member 10, which attaches the display module 100 tothe second comparative extended portions EXP2′, becomes attached to atleast one of the rounded portions RP. When a folded comparative displaydevice is unfolded, the adhesive member 10, which is attached to atleast one of the rounded portions RP, exerts a downward force on aportion of the display module 1000. That is, the display module 1000 canbe unintentionally pulled downward, which can deform the folding regionFA. The adhesive member 10 should be in contact with only the topsurface of the second comparative extended portions EXP2′, but inpractice, the adhesive member 10 can unintentionally attach to therounded portion RP when a display device is folded, thereby causing theabove effect.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate configurations of adjacent second jointunits, when a display device according to some embodiments of theinventive concept is unfolded from a folded state.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the displaymodule 100 is attached by the adhesive member 10 to top surfaces of thesecond portions PT2 of the second extended portions EXP2 of the secondjoint units JP2. A state of the adhesive member 10 attached to thesecond portions PT2 is maintained when the display device 1000 isfolded.

In some embodiments, the second joint units JP2 are provided to definethe recesses G without the rounded portions RP, which can prevent theadhesive member 10 from unintentionally becoming attached to a portionof the second joint units JP2, such as the rounded portions RP of thecomparative joint units JP2′. For example, the adhesive member 10 isattached to desired portions of the second portions PT2 and is preventedfrom becoming attached to other portions of the second joint units JP2.

According to some embodiments, since the adhesive member 10 is attachedonly to the top surfaces of the second portions PT2, it is possible toprevent a portion of the display module 100 located between the secondjoint units JP2 from being pulled downward when the display device 1000is folded and then unfolded. As a result, the folding region FA of thedisplay module 100 can be prevented from becoming unintentionallydeformed.

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate a structure of a second joint unit accordingto other embodiments of the inventive concept.

For convenience in illustration, a second extended portion of one secondjoint unit is illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22. Except for technicalfeatures associated with second extended portions EXP21 and EXP22 ofsecond joint units JP21 and JP22, the second joint units JP21 and JP22have the same shape as the second joint unit JP2 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.Thus, technical features of the second joint units JP21 and JP22, whichdiffer from the second joint unit JP2 of FIGS. 6 and 7, will bedescribed below.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIG. 21, dummy units DU aredisposed in the recesses G of the second extended portion EXP21 of thesecond joint unit JP21. Each of the dummy units DU includes a firstsurface S1 in contact with the recesses G, and a second surface S2opposite to the first surface S1. The second surface S2 of each of thedummy units DU has a convex curved shape, and a top surface, a bottomsurface, and side surfaces of the second extended portion EXP21 and thesecond surfaces S2 of the dummy units DU are connected to each other,thereby forming a reverse trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. The secondsurfaces S2 connect the top surface of the reverse trapezoidal shape tothe side surfaces of the reverse trapezoidal shape and form curvedcorner portions.

According to some embodiments, a coating layer CL for adhesionprevention is disposed on the second surface S2 of each of the dummyunits DU. For example, the coating layer CL can be a fluorine coatinglayer or an anti-fingerprint (AF) coating layer. The adhesive member 10is attached to the top surface of the second extended portion EXP2 butis prevented from attaching to the second surface S2 of each of thedummy units DU by the coating layer CL. Thus, even when the displaydevice 1000 is folded and unfolded, the folding region FA of the displaymodule 100 can be prevented from being deformed.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIG. 22, the second extendedportion EXP22 of the second joint unit JP22 has a reverse trapezoidalcross-sectional shape, and corners of the second extended portion EXP22where the top and side surfaces meet have a convex curved shape. Thesecond extended portion EXP22 of the second joint unit JP22 hassubstantially the same shape as a structure formed by the dummy units DUand the second extended portion EXP21 shown in FIG. 21.

According to some embodiments, a top surface of the second extendedportion EXP22 is an adhesion area AA, and other surfaces of the secondextended portion EXP22 are non-adhesion areas NAA. The adhesive member10 that attaches the display module 100 to the second extended portionEXP22 is disposed on the adhesion area AA, and the coating layer CL foradhesion prevention is disposed on the non-adhesion area NAA. Thus, evenwhen the display device 1000 is folded and unfolded, the adhesive member10 does not attach to the non-adhesion area NAA, and the folding regionFA of the display module 100 can be prevented from being deformed.

FIG. 23 illustrates a structure of a joint part of a display deviceaccording to other embodiments of the inventive concept.

Except for technical features associated with second and third jointunits JP2_1 and JP3_1 of the joint part JP, a support member of adisplay device according to other embodiments of the inventive concepthas substantially the same structure as the support member 200 of thedisplay device 1000 shown in FIGS. 5 and 8. Thus, technical featuresassociated with the joint units JP2_J and JP3_1 of FIG. 23 will bedescribed below. For convenience in illustration, only the joint part JPand the first and second support members SM1 and SM2 are illustrated inFIG. 23, and the same element as those in previous embodiments will beidentified using the same reference number.

According to some embodiments, referring to FIG. 23, the joint part JPincludes a first joint unit JP1, a plurality of second joint units JP2_1disposed between the first joint unit JP1 and the first support memberSM1, and a plurality of third joint units JP3_1 provided between thefirst joint unit JP1 and the second support member SM2.

According to some embodiments, the first, second, and third joint unitsJP1, JP2_1, and JP3_1 are arranged along the first direction DR1 andextend in the second direction DR2. Each of the third joint units JP3_1has a shape that is symmetric with respect to a corresponding secondjoint unit JP2_1. Accordingly, the second joint units JP2_1 will bedescribed in more detail below, but the description of the third jointunits JP3_1 will be omitted.

According to some embodiments, when viewed from the second directionDR2, the second joint units JP2_1 have a trapezoidal shape. Each of thesecond joint units JP2_1 includes a top surface, which is parallel tothe first and second directions DR1 and a bottom surface, which isparallel and opposite to the top surface, and side surfaces, whichconnect both sides of the top surface to both sides of the bottomsurface when viewed from the second direction DR2.

According to some embodiments, when measured in the first direction DR1,a length of the top surface of each of the second joint units JP2_1 islonger than that of the bottom surface of each of the second joint unitsJP2_1. The side surfaces of each of the second joint units JP2_1 extendasymmetrically with respect to each other. Thus, each of the secondjoint units JP2_1 has an asymmetric shape, when viewed from the seconddirection DR2.

According to some embodiments, the second joint units JP2_1 include afirst sub-joint unit SJP1 adjacent to the first joint unit JP1, a secondsub-joint unit SJP2 adjacent to the first support member SM1, and thirdand fourth sub-joint units SJP3 and SJP4 disposed between the firstsub-joint unit SJP1 and the second sub joint unit SJP2.

According to some embodiments, the third sub-joint unit SJP3 is adjacentto the first sub-joint unit SJP1, and the fourth sub-joint unit SJP4 isadjacent to the second sub-joint unit SJP2. The second sub-joint unitSJP2 has a shape that is symmetric with respect to the first sub-jointunit SJP1, and the fourth sub-joint unit SJP4 has a shape that issymmetric with respect to the third sub-joint unit SJP3. Thus, the firstand third sub-joint units SJP1 and SJP3 will be described in detail, butdescription of the second and fourth sub-joint units SJP2 and SJP4 willbe omitted.

According to some embodiments, when measured in the first direction DR1,a length of a first top surface TS1 of the first sub-joint unit SJP1 islonger than that of a first bottom surface LS1 of the first sub-jointunit SJP1. When viewed from the third direction DR3, the first bottomsurface LS1 appears within and surrounded by the first top surface TS1.When viewed from the second direction DR2, the first sub-joint unit SJP1includes a first side surface SS1_1, which connects a side of the firsttop surface TS1 to a side of the first bottom surface LS1, and a secondside surface SS2_1, which connects an opposite side of the first topsurface TS1 to an opposite side of the first bottom surface LS1 and isasymmetric with respect to the first side surface SS1_1.

According to some embodiments, when measured in the first direction DR1,a length of a second top surface TS2 of the third sub-joint unit SJP3 islonger than that of a second bottom surface LS2 of the third sub-jointunit SJP3. When viewed from the second direction DR2, the third subjoint unit SJP3 includes a first side surface SS1_2, which connects aside of the second top surface TS2 to a side of the second bottomsurface LS2, and a second side surface SS2_2, which connects an oppositeside of the second top surface TS2 to an opposite side of the secondbottom surface LS2 and is asymmetric with respect to the first sidesurface SS1_2.

According to some embodiments, when viewed from the third direction DR3,the second bottom surface LS2 appears to partially overlap the secondtop surface TS2. When measured in the first direction DR1, a length ofthe second bottom surface LS2 is longer than that of the first bottomsurface LS1. The opposite side of the second bottom surface LS2 iscloser to the first joint unit JP1 than the opposite side of the secondtop surface TS2. Due to this structure, a size of each of the third andfourth sub-joint units SJP3 and SJP4 is larger than a size of each ofthe first and second sub-joint units SJP1 and SJP2, when viewed from thesecond direction DR2.

According to some embodiments, the display module 100 is attached to thesecond joint units JP2_1 by the adhesive member 10, and the displaydevice can be folded and unfolded by the hinge member HGM. When thefolding/unfolding operation of the display device is repeated, thesecond joint units JP2_1 can be deformed by an adhesive strength of theadhesive member 10 and a tensile three of the folding region of thedisplay module 100.

According to some embodiments, when the second joint units JP2_1 have areverse trapezoidal shape, central second joint units, i.e., the thirdand fourth sub-joint units SJP3 and SJP4, are deformed more than theperipheral second joint units, those second joint units that areadjacent to the first support member SM1 and the first joint unit JP1,i.e., the first and second sub-joint units SJP1 and SJP2. This isbecause the adhesive strength of the adhesive member 10 and the tensileforce of the display module 100 that is exerted on the central secondjoint units are stronger than those exerted on the peripheral secondjoint units. When the second joint units are deformed, the foldingregion FA of the display module 100 can also be deformed by the deformedsecond joint units.

In some embodiments of the inventive concept, sizes of the third andfourth sub joint units SJP3 and SJP4 located at a center region of thesecond joint units JP2_1 are larger than those of the first and secondsub-joint units SJP1 and SJP2. The larger sizes of the second jointunits JP2_1 more effectively suppress the adhesive strength of theadhesive member 10 and the tensile force of the display module 100,which can prevent the third and fourth sub joint units SJP3 and SJP4from being deformed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the foldingregion FA of the display module 100 from being deformed.

According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, each joint unitis provided with recesses defined by top and side surfaces thereof.Owing to the presence of the recesses, an adhesive member attaches onlyto top surfaces of the joint units. That is, the adhesive member can beprevented from unintentionally attaching to portions of the joint unitsand consequently a folding region of a display module can be preventedfrom being deformed by an unintended attachment of the adhesive member.

While exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts have beenparticularly shown and described, it will be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art that variations in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the attachedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device, comprising: a first supportmember and a second support member arranged along a first direction; ajoint part disposed between the first and second support members; ahinge member adjacent to facing sides of the first and second supportmembers and that extends in a second direction crossing the firstdirection, wherein the hinge member is connected to a bottom surface ofthe joint part and bottom surfaces of the first and second supportmembers and includes two rotation axes that extend in a second directionthat crosses the first direction; and a flexible display module disposedon the first and second support members and the joint part, wherein thejoint part comprises: a first joint unit that extends in the seconddirection; and a plurality of second joint units arranged along thefirst direction and that extend in the second direction, wherein thefirst joint unit is disposed between the plurality of second jointunits, and each of the second joint units includes recesses between sideand top surfaces thereof and that extend in the second direction, therecesses are formed at both ends of an upper portion of the each of thesecond joint units, and the both ends are opposite to each other in thefirst direction.
 2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the firstjoint unit comprises: a first extended portion that extends in thesecond direction; and first sidewall portions that extend upward fromboth ends of the first extended portion.
 3. The display device of claim2, wherein each of the second joint units comprises: a second extendedportion that extend in the second direction; and second sidewallportions that extend upward from both ends of the second extendedportion, wherein the recesses are defined along edges between side andtop surfaces of the second extended portion.
 4. The display device ofclaim 3, wherein the second sidewall portion has a reverse trapezoidalshape, when viewed from the second direction.
 5. The display device ofclaim 3, wherein the second extended portion comprises: a first portionthat extends in the second direction and that has a reverse trapezoidalshape when viewed from the second direction; and a second portion thatextends upward from a top surface of the first portion and that has arectangular shape, and wherein a width of the second portion is lessthan a width of the top surface of the first portion, when measured inthe first direction.
 6. The display device of claim 3, wherein the firstsupport member comprises: a first bottom portion parallel to the firstand second directions; and a first guide portion that protrudes upwardfrom sides of the first bottom portion except for a side adjacent to thejoint part, wherein the second support member comprises: a second bottomportion parallel to the first and second directions; and a second guideportion that protrudes upward from sides of the second bottom portionexcept for a side adjacent to the joint part, wherein the display moduleis disposed on the first and second bottom portions and the first andsecond extended portions, and a side surface of the display module isadjacent to inner side surfaces of the first and second guide portionsand inner side surfaces of the first and second sidewall portions. 7.The display device of claim 6, further comprising an adhesive memberthat attaches the display module to the first and second bottom portionsand the first and second extended portions.
 8. The display device ofclaim 3, wherein each of the second joint units further comprises ajoint insertion part that protrudes downward from a center portion of abottom surface of the second extended portion and has a “L”-shapedsection when viewed from the first direction, wherein the hinge membercomprises: a plurality of first connection portions connected to abottom surface of the first joint unit and arranged in the seconddirection; and a plurality of second connection portions disposed belowthe first joint unit and between the first connection portions, whereinthe joint insertion parts of the second joint units are inserted into arail groove provided in top surfaces of the second connection portions.9. The display device of claim 8, wherein each of the second connectionportions comprises: a body part that extends in the second direction andhas shape of two parallel cylinders, each of which rotates about acorresponding one of the two rotation axes; a sub-connection part thatextends outward in the first direction from an outer curved surface ofthe body part on each side of the body part; and elastic membersdisposed in the rail groove adjacent to the joint insertion parts of thesecond joint units adjacent to the first and second support members, andwherein the sub-connection parts of the second connection portions areconnected to a bottom surface of the first support member and a bottomsurface of the second support member, respectively.
 10. The displaydevice of claim 9, further comprising: a third support member disposedbelow the first support member; a fourth support member disposed belowthe second support member; a plurality of first protruding portions thatprotrude from a side of the third support member that faces the fourthsupport member, each of the first protruding portions having acylindrical structure that extends in the second direction; and aplurality of second protruding portions that protrude from a side of thefourth support member that faces a side of the third support member,each of the second protruding portions having a cylindrical structurethat extends in the second direction, wherein the third and fourthsupport members are respectively connected to the bottom surfaces of thefirst and second support members and are configured to slide, and thefirst and second connection portions are disposed between the firstprotruding portions and the second protruding portions.
 11. The displaydevice of claim 10, further comprising: a pair of hinge pin units thatextend in the second direction; and a pair of coupling units thatcorrespond to the hinge pin units, wherein the hinge pin units areinserted into first holes in the first and second protruding portionsand that extend in the second direction, into second holes in the firstconnection portions and that extend in the second direction, and intothird holes in the second connection portions and that extend in thesecond direction, and the coupling units are connected to respectiveends of the hinge pin units.
 12. The display device of claim 3, furthercomprising a dummy unit inserted into each of the recesses, wherein thedummy unit comprises: a first surface in contact with a correspondrecess; and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein thesecond surface has a convex curved shape, and the second surface andtop, bottom, and side surfaces of the second extended portion areconnected to each other to form a reverse trapezoidal shape.
 13. Thedisplay device of claim 12, further comprising a fluorine coating layeror an AF coating layer disposed on the second surface.
 14. The displaydevice of claim 12, further comprising: an adhesive member that attachesthe display module to the top surface of the second extended portion;and a coating layer that prevents the display module from attaching toother surfaces of the second extended portion.
 15. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein when the display module is folded out to externallyexpose a display surface of the display module, the first and secondsupport members rotate about the two rotation axes.